only six-weeks phone needed

Planning a cross-country road trip, I'm a 70 something widow- and my kids are giving me grief because I don't have an emergency phone in my car. I really don't want a year-long committment, but need to know how I can get a phone for emergencies in the middle of Nevada or Wyoming etc.

How much money do you want to spend?

If you really want service in isolated areas -- best (purchase) option is probably a Globalstar satellite phone. But the handset will cost you about $1500 and monthly service in the range of $30 (if you don't use it much).

Otherwise, there are several celluar service plans available, but since you referenced a "one-year commitment" I imagine that you have already looked into those.

So, I would suggest a rental phone -- either cellular based or satellite. What is your budget? I will check some options for you.

Rental May be the Ticket

I looked at the GlobalStar-USA distributor and may have found a better solution. Although purchasing the GlobalStar with the car kit and accessories can be pricey at $2200-Plus. GMPCS is offering a rental package that might meet your needs. There are several options, but the one I think could be a match is called "Back-up" The monthly fee is about $20/mo, doesn't include any airtime useage (if used is $1.99 per minute) and the phone and carrying case and adapters can be rented for $350/month.